Explore all species01 / OVERVIEWMeet the
Meet the
jaguar.
Jaguars are powerful ambush predators and important ecological actors across the Americas. Habitat loss, fragmentation and killing linked to livestock conflict continue to affect populations.
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Appearance
A stocky, broad-headed cat with a gold coat marked by rosettes that often contain central spots. Melanistic individuals also occur.
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Behaviour
Usually solitary and strongly associated with cover. Jaguars swim readily and often use river margins and seasonally flooded landscapes.
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Diet
Takes a wide range of vertebrate prey, including mammals, reptiles and fish.
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Habitat
Tropical and subtropical forest, wetlands, seasonally flooded grassland and dry forest.
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Distribution
Ranges from Mexico through Central America and much of South America, with the largest stronghold in the Amazon basin.
